Thanks to you lovely people we reached 65% of our £250.00 fundraising target!! Your donations ensured that we could fund our residents to service all 10 bikes, the purchase of safety equipment and cycle helmets, the house-made packed lunch and the obligatory cup of tea on Swanage Beach! Most importantly, you brought the house together with lots of laughter and motivated everyone to push through. Most importantly, you’ve inspired us to go further next year! #ThankYou #RebuildingLives #25MilesFor25Years #MoreInCommon #BoscombeToStonehenge2018

As an independent charity, Michael House does not receive additional funding to deliver the standard of support that we do, so the generosity of the community is always greatly appreciated.

If you would like to become a regular donor and help support our in-house and out-door activities, please follow the secure link below:
https://michaelhouse.charitycheckout.co.uk/

On the 1st of June 2017, representatives of MichaelHouse were invited to attend a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace to celebrate being awarded the ‘Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service’ – the highest honour bestowed to voluntary groups.

Mark Horsford and John Coulson receiving the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service

The Queen’s Award recognises not only those who share their skills with the residents- leading activities or acting as board members for instance – but also the time the residents and staff freely give to the community.

This a tremendous achievement for the charity and a testimony to everyone involved, particularly our volunteers, without whom we couldn’t provide our unique and person-centred services. Everyone should feel immensely proud of the recognition the award represents.

May 2017 Most of the time, the staff of Michael House homeless hostel in Boscombe, try to keep their residents off the streets. But on Tuesday nights between January and May, they take them back- to save endangered wildlife.

They’re working a shift on the Ringwood and Poulner Toad Patrol. Teresa Baker started this 28 years ago, when she saw how many toads were killed on Gorley Road as they made their way from Ringwood Forest to spawn in Blashwood Lakes. Teresa thinks the patrol, now registered with Frog Life, may be the oldest in the county.

So far this year, the whole patrol has saved over 720 toads. The Michael House residents have been a big part of this.

“People criticise homeless people,” says Teresa, “but it’s amazing they are coming all the way from Boscombe to do this. It’s very important work. The toads play a big part in the local ecosystem.”

Apparently, it’s one of the most popular activities arranged by the house. “There are always more volunteers than spaces in the car,” says CEO Mark Horsford. “We hope to do it next year too.”

March 2017 Michael House homeless hostel is going from strength to strength, fulfilling its aim to see lives restored and winning several awards in the process. Now thanks to the Room to Reward scheme, staff have been able to thank two of the people who give up their free time to help them with short breaks for two.

Tracey Harrison became involved with Michael House in the course of her work as a community champion for Waitrose, Christchurch, but her enthusiasm has driven her to use much of her free time too.

She felt inspired by her first visit to the project. “There was so much going on. Mark, the manager, had so many ideas to make the residents lives better. All the team were lovely.” But it was hard to find anywhere for staff to have private conversations with the residents. Mark wanted to build a small room in the garden. So Tracey brought round some of the Waitrose partners to build a base and erect what has now become known as the “shack”. She also organised a quiz for World Homeless Day in association with three local homeless charities, including Michael House. She visits the house frequently. “People give me all sorts of stuff to bring.”

She was “chuffed” to be nominated for one to three nights in a hotel with Room to Reward. She and her husband spent a weekend in Brighton. “The weather was awful, but that didn’t matter. The hotel was beautiful and they upgraded us.”

Jenna Milton owns Creations hairdressing salon in West Parley. She regularly visits Michael House to offer haircuts to the residents.

“Having your hair done can be the best medicine, if you’re feeling low or about to have an interview,” she says. “I love doing it. To me, it’s only a few hours of my time, but it makes a massive difference to the residents. And it’s really nice to see people develop in self-confidence over time. Some of the ex-residents still come back for a cut.”

“I did cry a lot when I got the email. I was overwhelmed by it all. I took my partner to a really posh hotel in Devon for two nights. We had a wonderful time. I was so grateful.”

From Room to Reward website: The aim of Room to Reward is to recognise and reward the commitment, hard work and selflessness of registered charity staff and volunteers with a complimentary short break, giving them the chance to spend quality time with a loved one and enjoy a few days of pure relaxation.

Budgeting can be a scary subject, especially when you’re on a low income. Thanks to Moneytalk Bournemouth, Michael House is now able to offer genuine and practical support that encourages individuals to begin to tackle their finances, with a view to moving forward and planning for the future. ‪
Please take the time to read more about this successful QSA project.